Abstract:

The newly released “Expert consensus on molecular diagnostics of tuberculosis pathogens” contributes to improve the clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis in China. However, we have different views on the “Comparison of nucleic acid detection and traditional bacteriological detection of MTB complex”. At present the molecular diagnostic reagents are developing rapidly with certain differences in sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, the results of molecular diagnostic and bacteriological diagnostic should be interpreted carefully and it is difficult to draw the conclusion in the consensus that “If any molecular diagnostic result is positive while the bacteriological diagnostic result is negative, the final result should be subject to the molecular diagnostic method and regarded as MTB positive”.

Key words: Tuberculosis, Molecular diagnostic techniques, Bacteriological techniques, Outcome assessment (health care), Dissent and disputes